Gradwell & DeGraffenreid Set To Join Women’s Basketball For 2018-19 Season

Gradwell & DeGraffenreid Set To Join Women’s Basketball For 2018-19 Season

CLEVELAND, Ohio – First year Cleveland State women's basketball head coach Chris Kielsmeier has completed the signing class for the upcoming 2018-19 season, as Dana DeGraffenreid (Bakersfield, Calif.) and Isabelle Gradwell (Marshalltown, Iowa) are set to join the Vikings.

"We are very excited about adding Dana and Isabelle to our roster for the upcoming season, their work ethic, scoring versatility and defensive presence will make them great additions to our team," Kielsmeier said. "Dana and Isabelle are both versatile guards who add length on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, which will compliment our existing roster very well."

DeGraffenreid will enter Cleveland State as a sophomore and will have to sit out the 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer rules, while Gradwell will join the Vikings as a freshman with four years of eligibility remaining.

DANA DeGRAFFENREID | F | 5-11
DeGraffenreid joins the Vikings following a one-year stint at Sacramento State where she appeared in 13 games as a freshman before a season-ending hip injury. DeGraffenreid averaged 10.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game during her shortened rookie campaign, and earned a spot in the starting lineup during 12 of the 13 games she played.

DeGraffenreid played high school basketball at Ridgeview High School, where she was a three-time All-South Yosemite League First Team selection. As a senior, she earned South Yosemite League Co-MVP honors after averaging 20.3 points per game during the season.

Kielsmeier on DeGraffenreid: "Dana is a Division I transfer who had success as a true freshman in the Big Sky Conference, and we are expecting that success to continue in the Horizon League. She has a knack for getting to the rim and finishing on a consistent basis, while she also has an exceptional midrange game that allows her to be diverse in how she scores. Her ability to handle the ball and shoot from three-point are two traits that will only expand her offensive options, and allow her to be an offensive threat from all areas on the floor."

ISABELLE GRADWELL | F | 6-1
Gradwell comes to Cleveland State following a standout career at West Marshall High School where she was a four-year starter and two-time North Iowa Cedar League MVP. As a junior and senior Gradwell earned All-Region and All-League accolades, while she also picked up Times Republican All-Area Player of the Year honors. Throughout her high school career Gradwell also picked up multiple All-State honors, including a First Team nod from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association as a senior.

Kielsmeier on Gradwell: "Isabelle is an exceptional three-point shooter with range, and her ability to knock down the three will open up opportunities for some post-up play and driving lanes. She also has the ability to score from midrange and at the rim through contact. Isabelle has a very high basketball IQ, which is a strength that will allow herself and her teammates to be successful on both ends of the floor."

Gradwell and DeGraffenreid will be joining a Viking team that includes seven returners and four other newcomers, and will be led by first-year head coach Chris Kielsmeier during the 2018-19 season.